"Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter are setting bad example for young guys" - When controversial Yankees' duo came under fire from Jim Rice

In 2009, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez were on point for the New York Yankees. They held the top spot in the American League East and were destined to make the postseason.

The Bronx Bombers had the postseason on their mind. All the stars were aligning, things were going great, and for some, baseball had never been in a better spot.

However, not everybody was happy. MLB Hall of Famer and former Boston Red Sox slugger, Jim Rice was growing frustrated. He saw a trend getting set by Jeter, A-Rod, and Manny Ramirez in which he ripped them apart, via The NY Times.

"You see a Manny Ramirez, you see an A-Rod, you see Jeter. Guys that I played against and with, these guys you're talking about cannot compare," said Rice.

Rice was speaking Little Leaguers in Williamsport, Pa. where he downplayed the three slugger's abilities. He was not thrilled with the direction the game was going and pointed the finger at the NY duo and the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger.

"We didn't have baggy uniforms. We didn't have dreadlocks. It was a clean game, and now they're setting a bad example for the young guys," said Rice.

Rice was frustrated that the league was starting to embrace individuality. He was not a fan of the baggy uniforms or players embracing dreadlocks and other things like that on the field. Rice believed all of this would trickle down and set a bad example for the younger generation.

Yankees legend Derek Jeter fires back after Jim Rice criticized him, Alex Rodriguez, and Manny Ramirez

New York Yankees - Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter (Photo via IMAGN)

Yankees legend Derek Jeter would always try and keep a clean profile both on and off the field. He knew playing in New York would draw a lot of eyes, so he always tried to do his best with the cameras watching him and tried his best to be a role model.

So, when Jim Rice ripped him, Alex Rodriguez, and Manny Ramirez apart, Jeter was shocked. He fired right back at Rice, respectfully, of course.

"I didn't know I was like that. That would be a first for me" said Jeter.

Jeter was a bit thrown off by Rice's frustration. He was familiar with Rice as the two had spoken briefly during Jeter's playing days, but Jeter was unaware that Rice felt this way about him and the way the game was going.